Therapeutic potential of Cydonia oblonga extracts for anti-urease and antibacterial activities to cure urinary tract infections

The use of medicinal plants is increasing due to their broad therapeutic potential and safety. Urease enzymes and urease producing bacteria are reported to be involved in urinary tract infections (UTIs). Cydonia oblonga ( C. oblonga ) contains many medicinally important phytochemicals and used traditionally to cure many illnesses. In this study, therapeutic potential of C. oblonga for UTIs was assessed through in-vitro , in-vivo and insilco approaches. Firstly, methanol (MeOH), ethyl acetate (ETAC), n-hexane and chloroform (CHCl 3 ) solvents were used for extraction from fruit, bark, leaves and roots of C. oblonga and screened for antibacterial, antioxidant and antiurease activities. The results showed that all extracts, except the fruit n-Hex, depicted significant antibacterial activity against UTI-causing E. coli and urease-producing S. aureus . Roots and bark extracts showed higher antibacterial potential while MeOH and ETAC extracts exhibited stronger activity. DPPH assay confirmed the significant antioxidant activity of all t extracts with IC50 values ranging from 0.19±0.01 to 20.37±1.8 mg/ml while MeOH of roots showed highest antioxidant potential. All extracts showed significant antiurease activity with IC 50 values ranging from 2.08 to 31.6 μg/ml. The MeOH extract of leaves exhibited highest antiurease potential with mixed type and irreversible mode of enzyme inhibition. Secondly, the phytochemical analysis of MeOH extract of leaves of C. oblonga showed the presence of bioactive compounds such as phenolic compounds (tannins and coumarins) quinones, terpenoids, saponins, glycosides, and steroids which are responsible for observed antibacterial, antioxidant and antiurease activities. GC-MS analysis identified 12 important volatile compounds in the leaves’ MeOH extract supporting phytochemical analysis. Thirdly, molecular docking studies showed the binding interaction of tannins and coumarins with active site of urease enzyme (3LA4). Finally, in-vivo experiments on rabbits showed no acute oral toxicity, pain, stress or discomfort, proposing leaves MeOH extract as safe and potent alternative to inhibit urease and UTIs. • Methanolic extract of Cydonia oblonga possesses significant antibacterial activity against UTIs causing bacteria E. coli and S. aureus • Methanolic extract of C. oblonga showed anti-urease activity and thus a potential agent for treating UTIs. • In vivo studies showed no toxicity of methanolic extract of C. oblonga.